title: Intravenous interferon administered during liver transplantation is not effective in preventing hepatitis C reinfection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Post-transplant hepatitis C is a major challenge after liver transplantation (LT). Antiviral therapy is associated with lower efficacy in the post-transplant setting.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and effect of intravenous interferon (IFN) during the anhepatic phase of LT on hepatitis C viral load.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen consecutive subjects undergoing liver transplant for hepatitis C cirrhosis were enrolled in the study, ten of which received study drug and five subjects served as controls. Cases received weight-based ribavirin and subcutaneous IFN at time of incision followed by intravenous IFN at the start of the anhepatic phase. Adverse events and viral levels were recorded. Repeated measures ANOVA was employed to test for differences over time, between the groups, and time by group interaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All subjects had genotype 1 virus. Hepatitis C viral load was lower at week 4 in cases compared to controls (769,004 ± 924,082 IU/ml and 2,329,896 ± 3,731,749 IU/ml, respectively), but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.50). Three subjects developed adverse events related to IFN including pulmonary edema, rejection, and neutropenia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravenous IFN administered during the anhepatic phase of liver transplant did not prevent graft reinfection and was associated with manageable adverse events. This regimen could be further studied if direct acting antiviral agents alone are insufficient for treating post-transplant hepatitis C.
authors.affiliation: Transplant Center, Department of Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd, 3rd Floor Annex Building, Charlotte, NC, 28203, USA, Mark.Russo@carolinashealthcare.org.
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Tarun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Narang
authors.forename: Lon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eskind
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Casingal
authors.forename: Preston P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Purdum
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Will
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ahrens
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bonkovsky
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b